Wade leads Heat to victory over Sixers

BASKETBALLThe Miami Heat, led by Dwyane Wade, overcame a 45-point performance from Allen Iverson to achieve a 103-91 triumph over Philadelphia

AP AND DPA , MIAMI

The Miami Heat shot even better than Allen Iverson.

Dwyane Wade had 33 points and 13 assists, and Miami sank a season-best 59 percent of its shots to withstand Iverson's 45 points in a 103-91 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.

Wade led the Heat in scoring for the 11th consecutive game. He became the first NBA player to have at least 30 points and 12 assists for three games in a row since Kevin Johnson of Phoenix in February 1989.

Udonis Haslem had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Alonzo Mourning blocked seven shots and added 14 points for the defending NBA champion Heat, who had lost their past four home games. The 76ers lost for the ninth time in 11 games since starting 3-0.

Wade had seven turnovers but shot 10-for-18, including the score that put Miami ahead to stay, 62-61. Three quick baskets by the Heat to start the fourth quarter, including a breakaway by Dorell Wright, made it 80-68.

Iverson went 17-for-37 for the 76ers, who shot 37 percent. Their only other double-figure scorer was Andre Iguodala, who had 15 points.

Mavericks 93, Timberwolves 87

With German juggernaut Dirk Nowitzki having his worst game of the season, the Dallas Mavericks turned to Josh Howard and Erick Dampier down the stretch to keep their league-best winning streak alive.

Howard hit a go-ahead layup with just over a minute left, and Dampier blocked a potential game-tying layup in the waning seconds as the surging Mavericks avoided a collapse to slip past the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves 93-87 Monday night for their 10th straight victory.

"Guys are stepping up," Howard said. "Damp made a big play at the end with that block."

Howard and Nowitzki scored 15 points apiece for defending Western Conference champion Dallas (10-4), which has climbed out of an 0-4 start with its fourth-longest run in franchise history.

Dallas also received 14 points from Jerry Stackhouse while Dampier finished with 12 along with 11 rebounds.

Magic 88, Jazz 75

At Salt Lake city Dwight Howard had 21 points and 16 rebounds to help Orlando win the matchup of the teams with the best records in each conference.

The two best shooting teams in the league misfired much of the game but Orlando controlled the glass and the paint. Led by Howard, the Magic (11-4) outrebounded the league's top team in rebounding margin, 45-36, and outscored the Jazz in the lane, 40-32.